Low blood pressure plus more-YIKES!

[Karen M]

I am caught in the SCI medical run around. After months of increasing pelvic pain, increased spasticity and clonus, relentlessly stubborn uti's, it was finally determined that I have bladder stones 2 weeks ago. My GP found them via xray but wants my urologist who is SCI specialist, to handle it. Soonest consultation appointment with him is Nov. 5. In the meantime, pain aside, I have developed several secondary problems that I am quite concerned about. Edema and low blood pressure. My ankles and legs swell too large for all of my shoes except one (very ugly) pair. However, when I wake up in the morning, the water has taveled up, to my face. My eyes are puffy and my skin is blotchy. I look very old. After sitting up for several hours, I look okay and by bedtime, my feet and legs are swollen but my face looks fine. The blood pressure is scary too. Sitting up in the morning, now with a binder, it is usually 85/52. Standing, it drops to around 68/40. I sit down again, 5 minutes later it is 85/55. Normal SCI has always been 90/60 with pulse of 62. My pulse shoots up to 80-95 when my blood pressure drops. I used to walk around my house morning and evening. I haven't in several weeks - since I passed out, for about 10 seconds, while taking steps in my stepping frame. Physiatrist said to wear binder and compression hose and increased Baclofen and says to get stones removed. GYN gave me Celexa for clonus/new anxiety and Diflucan due to 17 day Cipro program to get rid of last uti. Still think I need another. GP put me on Lasix but took me off because of blood pressure. He called urologist 3 times trying to get earler appointment, was unable to but is afraid to have anyone see me except specialist. Both say increase salt. Good for BP but bad for edema. I have burning pain in a wide band, lower back to lower torso. Kidney problem? Is there something I could be doing until Nov. 5? I feel like I am going down the tubes as I lose more function, must endure more "discomfort" and worry about my BP. Ugh! Also sitting on some painful hemmies and feeling sleepy during the day and waking up with new nerve pain at night. Double Ugh!
Karen M C4 inc. almost 9 years post.
Am I just whinning, making mountains out of molehills? I have done that before. Add confused to all of the above.

Karen M

[SCI-Nurse]

With your history, this is very concerning. Low blood pressure and severe edema can be symptoms of nephrotic syndrome, which can be caused by kidney damage from a stone trapped in a ureter or severe UTI. Antibiotics will not clear up the UTI until you get rid of the stones.

Please have your GP run some kidney function studies, including BUN and creatinine, and if possible a 24 hour creatinine clearance. You should also have another UA to look for protein in your urine. This should be done right away, and if abnormal either the urologist needs to move up your procedure as an emergency, or you should see another urologist. If the stones are truely only in your bladder, they are relatively easy to remove and do not require the SCI specialist. Even a stone in a ureter should be able to be handled by any competent urologist who does laser stone ablation.

Please let us know what happens after you call your GP.

(KLD)

[Karen M]

Thank you, KLD!
I have an appointment with my GP tomorrow (Wednesday) and you have made it very easy for me - and him. I will hand him a print out of my questions and your response. Feeling better already - at least mentally!
Karen M : ]

Karen M

[Carl R]

Not sure this will help you or not, but I had problems with low blood pressure for quite some time until I increased my water intake. I went from about 60 ounces per day to roughly 100 ounces per day now. I rarely have blood pressure problems on the low side any more. Also haven't had a UTI (knock on wood) in a long time. I had bladder stones removed last year and once they were removed, spasms at least went back to normal.

[Karen M]

Thank you, Carl. Your story gives me confidence that I too will be back to normal (?) after my stones are removed and thank you for the fluid reminder. I do keep pretty saturated until about 7 pm, so that I can sleep comfortably through the night.
KLD-My GP did persuade the SCI Urologist to see me on Monday. My GP had already run some kidney function studies, including BUN and creatinine, and they came out fine. Did another UA to look for protein in urine and found none. I certainly hope that the bladder stones are behind everything else. Taking it easy until Monday,

Karen M